GHANA'S PRESIDENCY OF THE UNSC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 002144

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC MOPS GH
SUBJECT: GHANA'S PRESIDENCY OF THE UNSC


Classified By: AMBASSADOR PAMELA E. BRIDGEWATER FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND
(D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: As Ghana assumed the Presidency of the UN
Security Council (UNSC) for the month of October, we expect
its focus to be Africa centered, particularly as it relates
to peace and security. According to Ghanaian officials,
their agenda will likely include Sudan, Somalia, the
Ethiopian/Eritrean border dispute, Cote d'Ivoire, and
women's issues. Ghana tends to view these issues
through its historic preference for multilateral solutions,
its desire to resolve and prevent conflicts in Africa that
threaten the continent's development, and its current role
as African Union Chair. Regarding Iran, we expect Ghana to
continue to support U.S. efforts to resolve the conflict,
although the GOG will consistently stress its desire for
diplomacy and targeted sanctions. END SUMMARY


2. (C) On October 1, Ghana assumed the Presidency of the UN
Security Council. Ghana is a committed member of the United
Nations, and views the organization as a critical mechanism
to promote its interests, particularly vis-(-vis
international peace and security. According to statements
by MFA officials and Ghana's Ambassador to the UN, Leslie
Christian, Ghana will focus on African issues, particularly
on peace and security, during its one-month tenure. Darfur,
Somalia, Cote d'Ivoire, the role of women in Africa, and
the Eritrea/Ethiopia border dispute will likely lead
Ghana's agenda. As noted by President Kufuor in his speech
at UNGA, Ghana will place a high priority on resolving
conflicts, and in ensuring that sufficient attention is
paid to "the consolidation of peace."

SUDAN
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3. (C) We expect Sudan to remain high on the agenda during
Ghana's turn as UNSC President. Ghana supported the Hybrid
Force in Sudan and was pleased it was approved. Despite the
approval, however, C. Nii Amon Kotey, Head of the Africa
and African Union (AU) Affairs Bureau at the MFA,
told us last week that Darfur remains an "embarrassment"
for both Africa and the international community. Ghana, he
said, believes there must be more aid to Darfur and
increased international engagement to resolve the problem.
Paul Essel, Supervising Director of the Office for
Multilateral, Legal, and
Passport Affairs at the MFA, also told us recently that the
Hybrid Force must be deployed quickly.

SOMALIA
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4. (C) Ghana officials indicate that Somalia remains a
priority issue and will figure prominently during the Ghana
presidency, but the GOG has been slow in deploying the 350
troops it committed to AMISOM in February. The GOG has
asked for more than USD 20 million in assistance to equip
its detachment before deployment. Given Ghana's strong
history with peacekeeping , we believe it remains committed
to AMISOM. However the recent attack on Senegalese
peacekeepers in Darfur, particularly the reports that those
peacekeepers may have lacked adequate ammunition, may lead
the GOG to take a more cautious approach regarding the need
for strong material assistance prior to deployment. In
addition, as noted by President Kufuor in his recent speech
at UNGA, Ghana will likely press for a clear plan to
replace AMISOM with a UN force after its mandate expires in
early 2008.

COTE D'IVOIRE
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5. (C) Ghana is keeping a careful watch on neighboring Cote
d'Ivoire, and will want the Security Council to devote more
time to the Ouagadougou peace agreement, monitoring
progress toward implementing the agreement's provisions.
Following President Gbagbo's recent call for lifting the
UNSC arms embargo on Cote d'Ivoire, we should expect Ghana
to encourage examination of these issues. Ghana's
Representative to the UN has noted that the Council will
examine the existing sanctions closely once it receives the
report on Cote d'Ivoire. MFA International Organizations
head Paul Essel, indicated to us that Ghana is generally
pleased with the progress in Cote d'Ivoire with the unity
government and disarmament.

WOMEN AND SECURITY
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6. (C) Consistent with its leadership on peacekeeping and
on regional issues, Ghana is preparing a paper titled
"Women and Peace and Security" which it plans to present to
the UN in late October. Mavis Kusorgbor, an official in the
MFA's Office of Multilateral Affairs, indicated that
women's issues will also be a priority for Ghana, and Ghana
looks forward to meaningful debate on the role of women and
security in Africa. Specifically, Ghana may work to create
a monitoring mechanism for gender-based violence.

ETHIOPIA/ERITREA BORDER DISPUTE
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7. (C) The ongoing border dispute between Ethiopia and
Eritrea will also likely be on Ghana's agenda. President
Kufuor is visiting Ethiopia presently (septel).

IRAN
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8. (C) With regard to Iran, Ghana has been supportive of
the U.S. position regarding sanctions and we expect this to
continue. While Ghana is a proud member of the Non-Aligned
Movement (NAM) and Ghana's foreign minister recently
traveled to Tehran, Ghana has indicated its strong support
for the non-proliferation regime and views Iran's
activities with suspicion. Ghana will continue to advocate
a diplomatic approach to this issue, and support sanctions
that are clearly focused on those responsible for Iran's
nuclear activities.

UN REFORM
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9. (U) Ghana favors UN reform in the broad sense and its
Ambassador to the UN is on the record stating that Ghana
favors expanding the UNSC both in terms of Permanent
Membership with veto power and non-permanent membership,
adding that Africa should be given two permanent seats and
two non-permanent seats on the UNSC.

COMMENT
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10. (C) Ghana has played an active role thus far on the
UNSC. Ghana frames many of these issues in its broader role
as African Union Chair rather than on a bilateral basis,
reflecting its long-standing commitment to multilateralism.
While pursuing its interests in regional peace and
stability, Ghana will also continue to work closely with
the other two African members of the UNSC, believing that -
to the extent practicable - Africa should present a united
front on the UNSC.
BROWN